Seoul Hanseong University & Hyehwa

Hello, everyone! We are Creatrip, a group of Korean travel experts.

We proudly present you the latest, useful Korean travel information and tips every day.

In Korea, but don’t know how to plan an itinerary to go around the best places in Seoul?

Today Creatrip is here to take everyone to see the best places in Hyehwa Station & Seongbuk-dong area!

Let's try to get you great satisfaction and enjoyment in a short time!

First in order, today's schedule today!

For this trip, we will take you from <Hansung Univ. Station> of Seoul Metro Line 4 to <Naksan Park Station> at the end.

While we're at it, we'll introduce you to great restaurants and cafes, and also take a look at the antique side of the city. You have a full day ahead!

Ok, so today's schedule first!

Deaparture＜Hansung Univ Station＞→(2 mins walk)
First Stop＜Napoleon Patisserie＞→(10 mins walk)
Second Stop＜Old House of Choi Soon Woo＞→(10 mins walk)
Third Stop＜Suyeonsanbang Tea House＞→(1 min walk)
Fourth Stop（lunch time）＜Geumwang Donkatsu＞→(15 mins walk)
Fifth Stop＜Seongkyunkwan Univ＞→(about 20 mins by bus Jongro 08)
Sixth Stop＜Ihwa Mural Village＞→(15 mins walk)
Seventh Stop（dinner time）＜Peter Pan Steak＞＜Sundae Sillok＞→
Eight Stop（Coffee Time）(3 mins walk)＜Slow Step＞
　　　　　　　　　　  (5 mins walk)＜Haklimdabang＞
　　　　　　　　　　  (7 mins walk)＜THE CAFÉ 8OZ＞
　　　　　　　　　(7 mins walk)＜Cafe 100＞
　　　　　　　　　　  (15 mins walk)＜Gaemidabang＞
Last Stop＜Naksan Park＞ (10 mins walk from Peter Pan Steak or Sundae Sillok)

Ready? Let's start at Hansung Univ. Station!

Starting from Exit 5 of Hansung Univ. Station, you can follow our route.

First Stop：＜Napoleon Patisserie (나폴레옹 제과점)＞

Please don't think that I'm too fond of eating!

The reason why I'm taking you to the snacks at the first stop is because <Napoleon Patisserie> is so famous for its delicious desserts. If you come too late, you may not have much left to choose from.

So, coming early is definitely the right choice!

Seats are on the second floor here, so whether you want to take it away or sit down to dig in, the choice is yours!

In fact, most of the bakeries in South Korea are franchised, but this bakery has survived the competition with other bakeries and is very much loved!

The interesting thing about this place is that it often develops new recipes for customers, and you can also see a lot of desserts that mixes eastern and western flavours.

And the cakes with beautiful and delicate appearances are often the highlights for everyone rushing to take pictures ~

Address : 7, Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea / 서울특별시 성북구 성북동1가 35-5

Second Stop：＜Old House of Choi Soon Woo (최순우 옛집)＞

Don't think that if you need to go to Jeonju to see Hanok. In fact, as long as you walk around Seongbuk-dong, you can find traces of Korean history that are still everywhere!

The "Old House of Choi Soon Woo" is one of the old Hanok houses preserved in Seongbuk-dong, different from the overly commercialised "Bukchon Hanok Village."

Although this building built in the late Chosun dynasty looks simple, it shows the beauty of the Hanok in its fullest!

It doesn't take a lot of time to visit this place, just a pleasant little walk is all you need.

The Old House of Choi Soon Woo often provides a variety of simple but impressive activities, such as weaving, music concerts, etc.

If you don't have friends who want to participate the activities, you can also just take pictures while enjoying the beauty of this ancient house!

Address : 9, 15gil, Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea / 서울특별시 성북구 성북로15길 9

Third Stop：＜Suyeonsanbang Tea House (수연산방)＞

After a visit to the antique Hanok, you should also have some elegant traditional tea!

This teahouse called "Suyeonsanbang Tea House" was remodelled from the former house of a Korean novelist Mr. Lee Taejun, and the beautiful Hanok was completely preserved.

The house is beautiful with a lovely courtyard and elegant red tiled roof, but that's not all because there's not one spot here that isn't beautiful.

Since people actually lived here, there are traces of human touch everywhere, adding to the antique flavour.

As soon as you step in here, you will be inspired to keep taking photos!

Address : 8 Seongbuk-ro 26-gil, Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 성북구 성북로26길 8

Fourth Stop：＜Keumwang Donkatsu (금왕돈까스)＞

So by now you must be hungry from all the walking!

Then have a look at this <Geumwang Donkatsu!>

The helpings here are quite generous. If you don’t have a huge appetite, I don’t recommend ordering too much!

In Korea, pork cutlets are divided into two main categories.

The first is the "Japanese-style donkatsu", which is fried with bread flour with pork cutlet sauce.

The other is the "Korean Traditional Donkatsu," topped with sauce on a thin and large donkatsu.

When foreign cuisine was first introduced to Korea, Koreans turned unfamiliar exotic foods into dishes that fit Korean tastes, and this became the origin of traditional Korean pork cutlets.

Geumwang Donkatsu is a restaurant that continues the taste of "Korean traditional donkatsu".

A TV show also introduced this store, and many people love it!

Address : 138 Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 성북구 성북로 138

Fifth Stop：＜Sungkyunkwan University (성균관대학교)＞

Sungkyunkwan has played a pivotal role as an educational institution since the Chosun Dynasty. At that time, Sungkyunkwan was the main authority of Confucianism, and now Sungkyunkwan is one of the best schools in South Korea!

Sungkyunkwan University, which has inherited this 600 year old tradition, still holds graduation ceremonies in the traditional way.

You can feel the fusion of tradition and modernity everywhere on campus!

It is also interesting that as the popularity of the actor "Song Joong Ki" soared,

Sungkyunkwan University, as Song Joong Ki's school, has once again attracted everyone's attention!

Address : 25-2 Sungkyunkwan-ro, Myeongnyun 3(sam)ga-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 종로구 성균관로 31 유림회관

Sixth Stop：＜Ihwa Mural Village (이화벽화마을)＞

Ihwadong was is a very old neighbourhood. In order to change the old and dark atmosphere of the past, more than 70 artists gathered to renovate the area ~

After hard work by the painters, the current Ihwa was reborn and has become a popular tourist spot.

There are also a lot of TV series that are featured here!

The murals here are not only superficial drawings, but also the history of the village and its residents are contained in the images.

Interesting and cute murals are hidden in each alley. Come here with your camera to hunt for treasure ~

Address : Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울 종로구 이화동

Seventh Stop：Dinner Time

Okay, it ’s been a long day! Now time for dinner. I want to introduce two delicious restaurants here ~

Because the locations of the two stores are quite close, it is really difficult to choose.

So let's see what these two shops look like ~

＜Peter Pan Steak (피터팬스테이크)＞

This is a cheap but delicious steakhouse. Due to its good taste and low price, it is also a date spot for many college couples.

The name of the store here is not casual. The store displays many things featured from Peter Pan's story.

Even the menu is presented in the form of the Peter Pan fairy tale.

Since the grilled steak and vegetables are served on a hot-boiled iron plate, the steak will stay warm even if you take time.

If you don’t want steak, you can choose spaghetti, salad, etc.

Address : 21 Daehak-ro 14-gil, Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 종로구 대학로14길 21

＜Sundae Sillok (순대실록)＞

Here, you can taste this kind of cuisine made of sundae!

From common sundaegukbab, sundae shabu shabu, sundae and other dishes combining eastern and western features, Sundae Sillok can always satisfy everyone's hollow stomach!

The sundae here is very popular. In fact, there are many types of sundae. The sundae is with meat.

Finally, it is also rolled into a steak shape. A full plate of sundae is really a rich meal!

If you order sundaegukbab or sundaebokkeum, don’t forget to add fried rice and cheese to make delicious fried rice afterwards.

The combination of fried rice and rich soup with sundae is really delicious!

It was also the background of a Korean drama. From then on, customers have been rolling in to become a popular shop!

Spacious and comfortable space, there is absolutely no problem for three or five friends to eat together ~

Address : 127 Dongsung-gil, Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 종로구 동숭길 127

Eight Stop：Coffee Time

Still need something after dinner?

Before heading to Naksan Park, visit a few cafes, have a coffee break, and then set off to see the night view!

Because Naksan Park and Ihwa Village are quite famous sightseeing spots, in the middle of the two, many beautiful and delicious cafes have been opened.

Today, I will introduce five cafes, each with their own characteristics.

1. ＜Slow Step (슬로스텝 )＞

The most attractive thing about this cafe is that it has a stepped outdoor balcony!

And not only is there coffee in the store, it's also a good place to grab a beer and relax on the rooftop ~

There is also a small movie theatre-like space where Miyazaki Hayao's movies are played every evening ~

There are cushioned seats on the second floor of this shop, so that everyone can sit on the floor and enjoy red wine and beer. Animation movies will be played, so you can take a rest after a day outside!

Address : 89 Daehak-ro 8ga-gil, Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울 종로구 대학로8가길 89 3층

2. ＜Haklimdabang (학림다방)＞

This is a retro-style cafe that has been in business for 60 years. Walk inside, and you will feel like returning to Korea in the time machine to the 1960s.

While sitting on an old-styled sofa, listening to classical music played on a turntable, this nostalgic atmosphere unknowingly makes coffee even more mellow.

And the extremely popular Korean drama "My Love from the Star" has also been filmed in this place!

Interestingly, because this shop is located in Ihwa, where there are many film companies, it is also a shop frequented by film directors and actors ~

Address : 119 Daehak-ro, Myeongnyun 4(sa)ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 종로구 대학로 119 2층

3. ＜Cafe 100 (카페100)＞

In addition to the retro-styled cafe, there is also a classic-styled cafe here!

As soon as you walk into the alley of Ihwa Mural Village, you can see this Cafe 100.

Iron chairs, wooden tables, and little cars placed in the store, these small things make this place look classic ~

If you like western classic style, you can't miss this cafe ~

Come here to order a cup of coffee and enjoy your leisurely Coffee Time!

Address : 100 Ihwajang-gil, Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 종로구 이화장길 100

4. ＜The café 8oz (더카페8온스)＞

This cafe is located on the road to Naksan Park!

Whether you go up or down the mountain, it is perfect to take a break here ~

This shop is full of puppets and small models, so that everyone can visually enjoy themselves while having coffee, and it is suitable for taking pictures!

It is very easy to find the location because there are model kittens in front of the shop!

The special versions of coffee and drinks prepared by the young owner in this shop is really worth everyone's trial.

The most special drinks are the 'Only for Adults Coffee (beer + espresso)', 'marocchino coffee (cocoa beans + espresso + milk foam)', etc.

In addition, the hand-made drink "OREMONG" (lilac + lemon + grapefruit) is the signature drink here. Those who like fruit can also try it ~

Address : 19 Naksan-gil, Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 종로구 낙산길 19

5. ＜Gaemidabang (개미다방)＞

This is a small coffee shop located in Ihwa Mural Village ~

Surprisingly, this coffee shop transformed from a traditional house also sells "Makgeoli"!

The most popular menus here are the grapefruit margarita, white grape makgeoli and makgeoli smoothies.

Besides, all the drinks here are provided for trial. If you like it, just order it. Don't need to order when you're unsure.

Address : 57 Naksan 4-gil, Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울특별시 종로구 낙산4길 57

Last Stop：＜Naksan Park (낙산공원)＞

Finally arrived at our final stop <Naksan Park>!

The night view of Naksan Park is really famous!

Although you have to climb a little road, after patiently climbing up the mountain, the moment you see the night scene, you'll know that you weren't walking for nothing.

Looking out from here, you can see the intertwining ancient and modern architecture.

Although Naksan Park is best known for its night view, in the spring, cherry blossoms and wild lilies make this place a favourite spring shooting spot!

When the spring comes, it is also very good to enjoy the spring scenery and night scenery together ~

Because the park is surrounded by the castle walls, you can feel the beauty and history of Korean architecture here.

At night, because of the dim light, it seems more quiet, and the beautiful atmosphere attracts many couples, making it a famous dating spot ~

Address : 41 Naksan-gil, Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea / 서울 종로구 낙산길 41

So that's the end of what I've prepared for you today. The next time, try to walk through every spot introduced today to save a lot of time searching for where to go.

And every place introduced today has its own unique characteristics, in fact, in this city of Seoul, it's not difficult to see many different styles and looks.

Especially, there are many delicious restaurants and beautifully textured cafes, all with their own business philosophy and atmosphere!

In the interlacing of modernity and tradition, I feel a little shook and amazed ~

I believe that everyone who likes to travel to Korea will find beauty in every corner of the city!